Delhi Metro completes 10 years; shuns celebrations due to protests

Delhi Metro had planned big celebrations to mark the anniversary but postponed all such bashes due to the protests.

Delhi Metro, the safest and fastest mode of public transport in the capital, completed 10 years of operations on Monday, but the occasion was marred by closing down of busy stations near India Gate due to protests against the rape of a young girl.

In view of the protests and agitations that have been rocking the city for the past week, the DelhiMetro had on Sunday cancelled a function scheduled for Monday to commemorate a decade of operations.

Nine Metro stations, including the busiest Rajiv Chowk which sees a footfall of 5 lakh on an average day, was closed down as per instructions from Delhi Police which wanted to prevent protesters from reaching India Gate.

The stations which have been closed are near India Gate, the hot bed of protests against the gang-rape of a 23-year-old paramedical student, and Delhi Police felt that protesters could easily reach India Gate if these stations are kept open.

Beginning operations on this day in 2002 with 8 km, the Delhi Metro today has a network of over 185 km carrying 20 lakh passengers a day crisscrossing the entire National Capital Region.

Delhi Metro had planned big celebrations to mark the anniversary but postponed all such bashes due to the protests. However, eight-coach trains, first in the history of Delhi Metro, were inducted into services on Monday without any formal function.

On the 10th anniversary, Delhi Metro commuters had a tough time travelling as stations were closed.